MIDAS ⇾ THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY

~ XI ~

She sat down on the stairs for the second time that week. She thought of how she had managed to get herself in this mess. Maybe she should have let Diego stay away. Then she would be oblivious to the end of the world, and she could enjoy her last few days. But then again, she wouldn't have met any of the others, and she didn't want to forgo that. She wasn't sure what would come next - the academy had split up, so how could they be of any use? 

If the world was about to end, what should she be doing? It was a question you'd be asked in good fun, but now it was actually happening, she didn't know what to do. Maybe she could just go home and sleep for the next few days. Then at least she'd be well rested for the apocalypse, which was always a plus. Dying when she was tired would be so unsatisfying.

She put her head in her hands momentarily, laughing inwardly at herself. She should be thinking seriously. What did she actually want to do? 

"Alexis?"

She turned around to see Allison at the top of the stairs, suitcases in hand.

"Where are you going?" Alexis said, confused.

"I've got a flight back to LA." said Allison. "If this happens I have to be with my daughter, custody be damned."

Alexis nodded sadly.

"I understand. It must be horrible not being able to see her," she said quietly.

Allison murmured her agreement. She paused, then said:

"Alexis, uh... if I asked, would you... I don't know... want to come with me?"

Alexis did a double-take, heart suddenly racing.

"Oh... of course," she said, shocked. "When's the flight?"

"Later today."

"I mean... I don't have anything to pack."

"Can we just leave now then. Please? I need to get out of here."

Alexis got up.

"Let's go." she said.

The sky was darkening slowly as night fell. The women sat outside, on a bench, holding warm drinks - Allison coffee, Alexis tea.

"Why do you not like coffee?" asked Allison. "It's the best thing ever."

Alexis laughed.

"I don't know - I've just never liked the taste of it. That much caffeine makes me anxious - I can't function as a human when I'm that jittery."

"That's why I love it. I can't do anything without it now."

"I think that's a pretty universal thing."

"Apparently not for you, though."

She laughed.

"I'm just one-of-a-kind."

Allison raised her eyebrows sarcastically, taking a sip of her drink.

The evening air was cold, but refreshing.

"Why did you bring me?" said Alexis.

"I don't know. I just feel like... you're the only person I feel like myself with. With everyone else I'm either the actress, bad mom, or Number Three."

Alexis nodded as Allison looked down at her coffee.

"I'm not even sure who myself is anymore." she continued. "So maybe those things cancel each other out - but even still."

Alexis blew gently on her tea to try and cool it down.

"That's the thing," she said. "You've literally been in the limelight your whole life. I can imagine you haven't had much of a chance to think about who you are outside of it."

"Yeah, and the power doesn't help. Nothing in my life feels real."

"I mean... I'm real. But as long as you're trying to exist without it, I think that's as much as can be asked of you."

"Hmm. Maybe."

"I'm sorry, another question," said Alexis. "Is there anything between you and Luther?"

"Treading lightly, I see," laughed Allison.

Alexis shrugged.

"Well... there used to be," said Allison slowly. "We used to be so close, but then... I left, and he didn't."

Alexis nodded.

"He was always around for Dad. When I saw him again, he'd changed. It's almost like... he's trying even harder to be Number One now, but it isn't working. He won't talk to me, and he won't listen to the rest of us."

"I've noticed."

"Yeah. I guess now... I don't feel anything anymore. It's dissipated."

She paused.

"Why do you want to know?" she said playfully.

"Just wondering," said Alexis, as offhandedly as she could manage. "I wasn't sure if I was seeing something that wasn't there."

Alexis jumped as her phone rang. She reached for it, but it was an unknown number. Sighing, she put it away. She was longing for it to be Diego - she hoped he was alright. Disregarding that for a second, she stood up, and offered a hand to Allison.

"Allison Hargreeves," she said. "Will you dance with me?"

She looked a little shocked.

"I owe you one," said Alexis.

Allison smiled, and shyly took her hand.

There was no music, but still they swayed, and turned. Allison led, and Alexis followed the movements of her body in time to the invisible beat. They moved with each other, never stopping - it was like they were thinking of the same song. Alexis laughed as Allison spun her under her arm, coming to rest facing each other. The emerging stars watched as the two of them paused, close. Allison leant in, carefully. Alexis couldn't feel her legs as she came in, ever closer. Their lips met, Allison's as soft as satin sheets. Alexis could only feel her, feel their breathing, her hand on Allison's face. 

They pulled apart gently, as Alexis looked up into Allison's dark eyes.

"I should have done that before," said Allison, breathing heavily.

Alexis said nothing, giddy with a euphoria she didn't know she possessed.

They sat back down, breath visible in the air. The bench was cold now, and Alexis cradled her tea, the cup still full. Together they sat for a while, just enjoying each other's company.

"Shall we go?" said Allison, standing back up.

Alexis followed suit, and the two women walked off together, hand-in-hand. Their laughter filled the night sky.